July 5, 1294: The Election of Pope Saint Celestine V & Commentary from Father Richard Kunst The artifact... read more →
The Diocese of Duluth, and the home parish of the Curator of Papal Artifacts, Father Richard Kunst, were treated to a rare opportunity to spend an evening with George... read more →
“It is important for America that the moral truths which make freedom possible should be passed on to each new generation. Every generation of Americans needs to know... read more →
This small slip of paper says, John Henry Newman, Oratory Edgbaston, July 4, 1852. John Henry Newman was beatified in September of 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. The Papal... read more →
Father Kunst has many interesting stories to tell regarding his collection and this one is incomparable. The John Paul II Zucchetto Story In June of 1998, within... read more →
U.S. President John F. Kennedy and Archbishop Gennaro Verolino, secretary of the Vatican Ceremonial Congregation, are in the courtyard of St. Damasus of the Vatican Palace.... read more →
Vatican Unveiled It's all starting to come together! Yesterday, we installed a “teaser” exhibit at St. Louis County Historical Society at the St. Louis County Depot here in Duluth, Minnesota.... read more →
The Curator of the Papal Artifacts Collection & The Topic Nearest & Dearest to... read more →
This is a very unique piece because it’s a letter someone had written to him. Remember that he... read more →
The Papal Artifacts' Collection is replete with items belonging to or associated with the first Pope to be canonized since St. Pius V who served as Pope from 1566... read more →
James Gibbons was born in Baltimore on July 23, 1834, the son of Thomas Gibbons, a clerk, and Bridget... read more →
This item is actually a holy card that Pope Benedict XVI had printed for... read more →
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul or Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul is a liturgical feast in honour of the martyrdom in Rome of the apostles Saint Peter and Saint Paul, which is observed on 29 June. The celebration... read more →
Note: The featured image is of Archbishop Giovanni Montini, the future Pope St. Paul VI. At the time of the 1944 address he... read more →
Ad multos annos, Pope Francis! The Holy Father celebrates the 30th anniversary of his episcopal consecration today. On this happy occasion, let us pray for the Pope: O... read more →
On 26 or 27 June 1968, Pope Paul VI Announced that the Bones of Saint Peter Were Discovered. It was during... read more →
This papal bull, the most modern one in the collection, is on parchment and is dated 1958. The bull concerns the appointment of Cardinal Stephanos... read more →
April 9, 2016: An Historic Moment for Papal Artifacts: Acquiring the Ballot & Scrutiny Sheet from 1903 Conclave Fr.... read more →
FDC (First Day Cover) Stamps Issued June 26th, 1967 These stamps commemorated the consistory that appointed, among others, Karol Wojtyla as a cardinal. He is one of six... read more →
This zucchetto is actually a very historically significant item. Although it... read more →
The Papal Artifacts’ Collection is primarily dedicated to artifacts connected to the papacy. Individual popes, their biographies and multiple items belonging to them, including first and second class relics,... read more →
The artifact presented here is a complete, thirty-piece set of a papal procession dating from the pontificate of Pius XI who reigned from 1922-1939. The pope is seated on... read more →
The heart has always been seen as the "center" or essence a person ("the heart of the matter," "you are my heart," "take it to heart,"... read more →
A Relic of the True Cross of Christ Here is Father’s... read more →
“The world’s greatest need is someone who will understand that there is no greater conquest than victory over oneself; someone who will realize that real worth is achieved not... read more →
The menu is for the passengers aboard the flight and gives information in German, Italian and Polish about this historic journey of Pope John Paul II... read more →
This unusual bronze medal, minted during the papacy of Pope Paul III, is known as a Satirical Medal. The obverse shows the pope wearing the papal tiara. When turned... read more →
The Papal Artifacts’ Collection is primarily dedicated to artifacts connected to the papacy. Individual popes, their biographies and multiple items belonging to them, including first and second class relics,... read more →
A Message From Pope Paul VI's Last Testament How can I worthily celebrate your kindness, O Lord, for having been included just as I... read more →
The following commentary by Giovanni Montini, the future Pope St. Paul VI, was written in response to a play about Pope Pius XII, called, The Deputy. The play... read more →
This is a letter from the former king of Poland, Maximillian of Austria, to Pope Clement VIII, dated June 20, 1593. Maximillian as the Regent,... read more →
Here is Father’s Commentary: Of all the items I have in the Collection, and it’s quite massive, there... read more →